Excessive CSAP testing
The test I took to get into medical school, intended to test the cumulative education of all my public education (12 years), college, plus pre-med work lasted just under 8 hours and was done in a day.
At the end of medical school to test the science and clinical training of four years of medical school, that would allow me to assist with surgery and deliver babies took three days, six hours each.
At the end of residency my specialty boards, designed to test four years training, was tested to the satisfaction of the National Board in about 7 hours over the course of a single day.
Now, here’s my 5th grade son digging into his strength and character reserves because some organization has done such a dismal job of designing a test it takes them four days to assess how a fifth grader is doing in school. As an academic physician that tells me that either their validity scores suck, or they have to collect so much data because they’re trying to test too many details. In either case it’s a shame to have our kids bear the burden. It’s time to re-think this entire process.
My 4th grader went through 9 days of CSAPS.For 2 weeks she was stressed and exhausted.The pressure that the schools put on these children to do well is constantly held over their heads.
My childs last year CSAPS were a total disappointment. She scored proficient ,but I don't understand how you are proficient if you score a 445 out of a 950.
She scored below proficient in grammer and spelling. I kept asking her 1st,2nd,and 3rd grade teachers why they were not correcting spelling and teaching grammer when grading writing. I was told we don't do that.We like to encourage the children to write any way they want without grading or correcting spelling and grammer.
I now realize my daughter's report cards were frauds. She has never gotten anything lower than an A. How can that be?
My other daughter is in 1st grade reading 5th grade level and doing 3rd grade math. The teacher sent home a note with all the students asking the parents not to point out spelling or grammer errors in their writing and stories.At conference time I told her teacher I did not agree with that policy and would not abide by it.I definately was not going to fall into that trap again.
My older daughter has always gotten straight A's,but those A's don't reflect her CSAPS.So how am I supposed to tell whether the A on her report card is actually earned?How do I tell if the CSAPS are providing me with a true sense of what she knows or is she burnt out having to take CSAPS over a 9 day period?
Posted by on March 31, 2007 11:23 AMFor the four times it occurred in your letter, 11:23, and just for the record since you are so concerned with it, the word is spelled "grammar", not "grammer".
The first sentence of your second paragraph needs major rewriting. Try this: "Last year, my child's CSAPs were a total disappointment."
Finally, it is customary to add a space after commas and two spaces after final punctuation marks.
Don't want to let you slip through any evaluative cracks.
Posted by Tom on April 1, 2007 08:16 AM11:23
First, don't blame the school for putting so much pressure on your child to do well on the CSAP. Blame the state, as they put so much pressure on the schools for the kids to do well. Since it is the kids taking the test and not the schools, the pressure gets passed down.
Secondly, you shouldn't worry about how well your child does. The CSAP means nothing in terms of graduation, college, etc. That's the problem. How hard would you try on a test that you had to take almost every year of your life, and one that you knew had no bearing on anything in your future? Fact is most kids view the CSAP as a waste of time. Why do you think so many districts have to come up with some sort of bribe for kids to show up and take it?
Posted by BO on April 1, 2007 11:55 AM